Abscess

[Bogertophis]

I own 17 snakes, but that doesn't mean I'd know how to diagnose an abscess in a snake necessarily. Just pointing that out, she may not have had specific training for it and defaulted to training she did have for cats/dogs.

I don't think "solid" pus is necessarily "hard". If I'd had to guess, I would have assume a sort of jello or soft play dough consistency rather than like a pebble. So I don't think not being hard is a good reason to think it is not an abscess.

I've never seen chlorahexadine recommended as a treatment for anything in snakes aside from superficial wounds to prevent an infection, so I'm not really sure that treatment makes much sense when it looks like there is something of some kind in there already (swelling comes from somewhere after all). There is another thread on here where a member had to have their retic brought in for a surgery to remove an abscess. Anyone have a link? (Sorry, work-brain has made me forget whose it was)

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While I'm delighted that some vets are taking more interest in herps, I agree that it's taking a leap of faith when you assume that they have trained for & successfully
treated snakes with some advanced health conditions, when in fact they may not have. It's not "rude" to inquire about any doctor's training, whether they treat humans
or pets...you have a right & need to know. Vets can be well-meaning & willing to help, but when you have a significant health issue that generally needs surgery, you
want someone with recent/current experience, & preferably someone who has seen more than one or two similar cases. It's like if you need a root canal, & your local
dentist is willing to do it, it's still better to see a practicing endodontist- someone who does these procedures every day & all day long. It can make a huge difference
in outcome, in reducing risks.

And as far as I know, pus in snakes has more of the consistency of thick custard...not "hard", but just not fluid enough to be drained either naturally or with a syringe.
I have seen Betadine used to swab a snake's mouth but not chlorhexidine- it's an ingredient in human mouthwash, but that doesn't mean it's good for snakes...I'm not
sure about this use, it's a new one on me too but perhaps OK...but it's only superficial treatment. I remember that thread too, but not whose snake it was...maybe a
'trek' thru the retic forum, we can find it?

It's not rare for snakes to get an abscess either along the jawline like this or on their nose area (from hitting their face on cages). There's bound to be more than one
thread here about similar issues.